Have everything ready on the Compass and will make a second outing tomorrow (hitting West Bay of Galveston, TX). This will be the first time on the water with all of the upgrades so can't wait to see how she's does.

Really spent some time looking into upgrades and have decided to go with the following:

- Added Fish Finder to the H-Track(I chose a Lowrance Hook-4 because it is compact, has GPS and is reasonably priced. Adding the transducer and power cables was pretty easy. Just followed Hobie's video and it was in place in no time. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y_NrpH3tRZo )

- Added Square Hatch (The square hatch upgrade is easy to do and adds a ton of extra storage. Most people are then moving their round hatch to the front of the Compass but I'm holding off on that to see if it's something that I really need. Also, I mounted my battery between the square hatch and seat because it takes weight off of the front of the Compass. Here's the link to Hobie's video on hatch installations. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j8eMLF7UODg )

- Added Side Pockets mounted below the H-Tracks(Adding the side pockets was also easy. Just followed Hobie's video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v8-iqSLUflE=> Be careful with the screws on the Starboard side as they can hit the rudder cable. Here's a solution: First position the side pocket and run all of the screws all the way in. Then remove the four bottom screws and cut about 1/4" off of the tips. Then add Marine Goop sealant to the threads and "hand tightened" the screws back in place (do not over tighten). This will secure the side pocket while not interfering with the rudder cable. Note that there's no problem with the Port side pocket so no need to modify any screws there.=> Also, if you are adding lifting handles (see directly below) be careful on the starboard side. Make sure to leave enough space between the rear of the side pocket and the cup holder to allow room for mounting the strap of the lifting handle. More simply put, just make sure you think through both the side pocket placement and the lifting handle placement before you attach either one.)

- Added Lifting Handles(Decided to mount the lifting handles such that the Starboard lifting handle would cross over the cup holder space. It makes for an easy install and the lifting handle also holds any drinks in place.I used the YakGear Handle Kit because it is the right length, it is flexible and it comes with all of the mounting hardware. https://yakgear.com/product/handle-kit-2-per-pack/ . Almost forgot to add that I used the nuts, washers and bolts for added strength (rather than the pop rivets). Access thru the square hatch made it easy to attach the backing nuts and washers.)

- Added Taco Clip for Storing Push Pole(I added a YakGear Taco clip to the port side of the Compass and just to the rear of the seat. By doing so I can now place the point of my push pole thru one of the rear bungees of the Compass and then let the handle rest in the taco clip. It is easy and keeps the push pole out of the way. I also took the time to test out a paddle before mounting the Taco Clip (making sure that the paddle would rest easily in the Taco Clip while not interfering with the steering or my crate). I don't think I'll ever store a paddle there but it is an option. https://yakgear.com/product/taco-paddle-clip-kit/ )Edit: I actually used the taco clip for my paddle during the outing and have to say that I really liked it. Might leave the paddle in the taco clip and move my stake out pole to the starboard side paddle holder.

- Added Keeper to the rear bungees to hold my crate securely in place.(I use S shaped metal keepers (which came off of a rubber strap) attached to the rear bungee cords on the Compass. By using one at the front of the crate and one at the rear the S-shaped metal keepers hold the crate securely in place. It's also easy to hook or unhook the crate. Have done the same with my Outback and PA and it works great. Here's a link to a rubber strap. https://www.dccargomall.com/15-Rubber-Tarp-Strap-with-Crimped-S-Hooks-installed.aspx )

I also added a small pouch to the front of my seat (starboard side). This works great for holding my pliers while on the water - easy and quick access. It is attached with zip ties and stays securely fasten to the seat even when the seat is removed from the yak.

Finally got out on the water and had a great time. This was the second time that I've been on the water with the Compass (9 hours total covering 8.5 miles) and can say that this is one heck of a machine! On this trip we had to portage our kayaks across 100 yards of flat but semi-rugged terrain. We used Hobie Heavy Duty Plug-in Kayak Carts to move our yaks and can say that the lighter weight of the Compass made this a breeze (we also had a PA-12 and although it rolled along just fine the Compass was sooooo much easier). Love this yak!